A few problems
 

I recently replaced my clutch cable and now its difficult for some reason to put the car in 4th and 5th gear. I really have push hard to get the shifter over to that side. There was no such problem before the new cable. Is there anyway I twisted the cable in tunnel around the shifter or related linkage?

Also..I heard about using carb cleaner to locate vac leaks. What exactly does it do when it spots a leak? bubble or ?

Thanks

I suppose it could be possible to get the clutch cable wrapped around the shift linkage, If i were you i would pull the rear access cover (small one between seats) and see if I could see anything.

The carb cleaner trick to look for vacuum leaks works like this:
if you have a vacuum leak at idle, the extra air that is let in usually affects the idle speed. If you spray carb cleaner (ar any other flammable gas) over the leak, the engine sucks the flammable liquid into the intake instead of air, temporarily restoring the correct idle speed.
Now here's the big problem with that trick:
it is dangerous. You can get all bowed up, or you car can get all burned up. Either way is bad. I have done it, any others here have done it, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous.

sooooooooo, here's a little question for the list.....
Anyone ever try this technique with an inert gas instead of a flammable one? I got this idea in my head that using something
like pure nitrogen or argon would displace enough O2 to change the idle without the possibility of a big boom.
I suppose there could be another danger of asphyxiation if someone stuck their head all the way into the engine compartment while it was full of stuff besides air, but with the engine running there would be plenty of circulation in there.
Any comments, BTDTs or flames?

Vacuum leaks can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on which fuel system you have...And the carb cleaner will have a different effect. You might use water as a substitute.

The clutch cable is on the opposite side of the tranny from the shift rod, fairly hard to get that combination bunged up. I suppose you could do it at the passenger compartment end. I'd second a check under the access panel.

When you shift into 4th and 5th, any grinding noises or anything?

Which year car or really, which Tranny do you have?

You know, it could be that the cable was strung too close to the shifter, limiting movement...

James

Well it was not a vac leak so I dont have to use carb cleaner and blow myself up.

As usual its the simple things that are always the culprit..a clogged fuel filter. I sure wish it was easier to change it on pre-1975 cars however...:p

now to tackle the cable...

This can also be caused by a clutch cable tube failure. If the tube comes loose in the center tunnel, it can interfere with the movement of the shift linkage. This is usually seen on the 1st/Rev throw, not the 4th/5th throw, but...

--DD

No grinding or anything but when I put it in 4th I can feel some movement in the clutch pedal. Its a 74 with a side shifter. Im pretty sure the tube housing is loose so that could be the problem. A friend of mine cut out an access panel with a hole saw and made a bracket so the housing does not move around..I might have to do to same.

I will open up the access panel and take a gander..otherwise im gonna have to break out the mirror and see if I can see any cable issues. To make this job easier I cut out an access panel up by the pedals so I dont have to tear out the center console to change cables etc..

Thanks for everybodys help..I will keep ya posted.

MM

Ok..I got in there with a mirror. When I move the shift lever over to the right the shift linkage pushes on the clutch cable making it tighter. Is it normal for the linkage to move that far over to one side? I was thinking the linkage might be loose so I checked the cone screws and they both tight. Maybe its some issue with the lever itself? Help!

Dave figured it out. My clutch tube weld failed causing it to move forward about 3" causing it to jam against the linkage. Now to figure out how to fix it...

Epoxy? I have been talking about epoxy repairs on another thread here on 914 BBS. I wonder if you could nail that sucker down with some of that.

On E-bay, some guys on a regular basis tout a clutch tube replacement. Don't know if it is any good or not.

James